Sermon from 11th May 2008 Pentecost
Here's this week's sermon, from our Associate Vicar, John Itumu. It's based on the reading from John 14:15-21
Jesus’ promised Spirit
I quite like visiting new places and I must say that London has always posed a particular challenge due to the dense network of roads and streets and housing. If you have lived in London all your life, it may not be so bad – not so for a Kenyan village bred like me. We have had our moments as a family in the car trying to read a map and missing a crucial turning point and having to drive some 5 miles before the next exit… I am sure we are not alone in this!
So with all that has been said against Satellite Navigation Units – like taking one to a dead end or in the wrong direction, I still think they are among the cleverest gadgets around today. In my opinion they are very useful! I only need a postcode and bang – I am there!
And the instructions are full:
at the end of the road turn left, exit ahead, toll charge – do you want to continue – I can even choose my favourite voice. I love it – because I can just relax and enjoy the drive.
In this very significant gospel passage, Jesus continues to prepare his disciples for his death. He is leaving them. At the beginning of the chapter he says:
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust in me. My Fathers house has plenty of room… and I am going there to prepare a place for you. You know the way to the place I am going…
And Thomas shoots the first question that must speak for all of them: Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?
Jesus replies: I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, then you know my Father as well.
This is now getting too complex, and Philip thinks of a shortcut:
Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.
Jesus answers him: Philip, don’t you know me, even after I have been among you such a long time?
The disciples were anxious about what would happen to them if Jesus left them. How would they cope? How would they carry on his spectacular ministry? They had heard and witnessed his teaching first hand – but how could they remember it all? How could they do it? How would they begin mixing with prostitutes, lepers, the demon possessed, and ritually unclean people?
They had already witnessed opposition to the ministry of Jesus from the temple leadership and the religious leaders, and this was intensifying by the day. How would they cope without their charismatic leader? How could they navigate thorough life’s maze?
And Jesus has an answer for them. He says to them: wait for a free gift - the Holy Spirit. I will not leave you as orphans, my Father will give you another advocate. He will be your navigator, and more than that.
He will be your helper, comforter, teacher, enabler, strengthener, warrior, counsellor, healer, fore-runner, deliverer, refiner - to help you and be with you – not just for three years like you have been with me, but for ever. Yes, for ever!
How good is that! Never to get lost again in life’s journey.
This promise of the Holy Spirit still stands for anyone who will dare ask. Jesus at one time, while teaching on prayer challenges his listeners: Luke 11:11-13
Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish will give him a snake… if you then, though you are evil know how to give god gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
Ask and you will receive!
Jesus goes on to say that his true followers will love him, they will obey him and he on his part will secure for them, from the Father who denies nothing to his Son, another Counsellor. Obedience to the teachings of Jesus is the sign of love. Our Lord observes not the loud confessions of our love for Him but the reality of our obedience to him.
What a splendid promise for us as a church and as we look back at all the blessings that God has poured upon us in the last one year! There is reason to celebrate the plenty of good that has come our way, as detailed in the AGM booklet, and as we have tried to be mission shaped in our life together as church family. I am certain that those who have been around longer see a great deal more of God’s blessings upon his church in Herne Hill Parish. For all this we can only thank and praise God.
The journey however is far from over. Today we open a new chapter in the church calendar year. A few of you will even be taking up new responsibilities. So where do we go from here? How do we get there? How can we be sure?
Well, let’s remember the promise of Jesus about a navigator in this journey – the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Truth. He promises to be with us – for ever. May we aspire to always be in relationship with him, in obedience to his word as we reap all the benefits he has kept for those who abide in him. Amen.
Jesus’ promised Spirit
I quite like visiting new places and I must say that London has always posed a particular challenge due to the dense network of roads and streets and housing. If you have lived in London all your life, it may not be so bad – not so for a Kenyan village bred like me. We have had our moments as a family in the car trying to read a map and missing a crucial turning point and having to drive some 5 miles before the next exit… I am sure we are not alone in this!
So with all that has been said against Satellite Navigation Units – like taking one to a dead end or in the wrong direction, I still think they are among the cleverest gadgets around today. In my opinion they are very useful! I only need a postcode and bang – I am there!
And the instructions are full:
at the end of the road turn left, exit ahead, toll charge – do you want to continue – I can even choose my favourite voice. I love it – because I can just relax and enjoy the drive.
In this very significant gospel passage, Jesus continues to prepare his disciples for his death. He is leaving them. At the beginning of the chapter he says:
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust in me. My Fathers house has plenty of room… and I am going there to prepare a place for you. You know the way to the place I am going…
And Thomas shoots the first question that must speak for all of them: Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?
Jesus replies: I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, then you know my Father as well.
This is now getting too complex, and Philip thinks of a shortcut:
Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.
Jesus answers him: Philip, don’t you know me, even after I have been among you such a long time?
The disciples were anxious about what would happen to them if Jesus left them. How would they cope? How would they carry on his spectacular ministry? They had heard and witnessed his teaching first hand – but how could they remember it all? How could they do it? How would they begin mixing with prostitutes, lepers, the demon possessed, and ritually unclean people?
They had already witnessed opposition to the ministry of Jesus from the temple leadership and the religious leaders, and this was intensifying by the day. How would they cope without their charismatic leader? How could they navigate thorough life’s maze?
And Jesus has an answer for them. He says to them: wait for a free gift - the Holy Spirit. I will not leave you as orphans, my Father will give you another advocate. He will be your navigator, and more than that.
He will be your helper, comforter, teacher, enabler, strengthener, warrior, counsellor, healer, fore-runner, deliverer, refiner - to help you and be with you – not just for three years like you have been with me, but for ever. Yes, for ever!
How good is that! Never to get lost again in life’s journey.
This promise of the Holy Spirit still stands for anyone who will dare ask. Jesus at one time, while teaching on prayer challenges his listeners: Luke 11:11-13
Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish will give him a snake… if you then, though you are evil know how to give god gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
Ask and you will receive!
Jesus goes on to say that his true followers will love him, they will obey him and he on his part will secure for them, from the Father who denies nothing to his Son, another Counsellor. Obedience to the teachings of Jesus is the sign of love. Our Lord observes not the loud confessions of our love for Him but the reality of our obedience to him.
What a splendid promise for us as a church and as we look back at all the blessings that God has poured upon us in the last one year! There is reason to celebrate the plenty of good that has come our way, as detailed in the AGM booklet, and as we have tried to be mission shaped in our life together as church family. I am certain that those who have been around longer see a great deal more of God’s blessings upon his church in Herne Hill Parish. For all this we can only thank and praise God.
The journey however is far from over. Today we open a new chapter in the church calendar year. A few of you will even be taking up new responsibilities. So where do we go from here? How do we get there? How can we be sure?
Well, let’s remember the promise of Jesus about a navigator in this journey – the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Truth. He promises to be with us – for ever. May we aspire to always be in relationship with him, in obedience to his word as we reap all the benefits he has kept for those who abide in him. Amen.
posted by Parish Administrator at 12:18 pm
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